ISTANBUL
Turkish foreign minister has pledged continued support for Somalia, saying that peace and security of Somali people was of utmost importance for peace and security in Africa.
"Turkish Republic will continue to stand side by side with our Somali brothers with all means in its power. This is the pledge of Turkish people to the Somali people," Ahmet Davutoglu told a joint press conference with Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali after the closing of the second edition of the Istanbul Conference on Somalia.
Davutoglu said the Istanbul conference was held a time when Somalia passed through a very critical era as the country's transitional process drew close to an end.
Davutoglu said following Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Somalia last year, Turkey had initiated a comprehensive strategic action plan and made some important steps such as opening an embassy in Mogadishu and launching direct flights to the Somali capital.
